The Tammany Trace Tunnel broke ground in June 2019 and is about to be completed. The $3.5 million project is being built by Hard Rock Construction. The project will solve the dangerous impediment for bicyclists, joggers and those who enjoy a walk along the Tammany Trace.
Tammany Trace is an asphalt trail that runs from Slidell to Covington, with trailheads near Slidell and in Lacombe, Mandeville, Abita Springs and Covington. It is mainly used for hiking, jogging and cycling. It was funded by federal money and opened its first part in 1994. It was included in the Rails-to-Trail's Conservatory's Hall of Fame in 2017.
The location where the trace crosses over La. 59 has been a dangerous intersection for cyclists and joggers. Located close to a mile north of I-12 there is a high volume of traffic there along with an S-curve that limits visibility.
The tunnel was slated to be completed in December says Chris Welty, public information officer for the state Department of Transportation and Development, but the weather will have to cooperate.
Hurricane Ida put a halt to the project when the trace was closed due to fallen debris. Workers have been working diligently to clear fallen trees and miscellaneous debris that fell on the 31-mile asphalt pathway during Ida. St. Tammany Parish government has still not announced a reopening date.
The project will take bicyclists and joggers through the tunnel under La. 59 and will also make the S-curve a little straighter for motorists. Those using the trace will now be able to move beneath La.59 at Emile Strain Road seamlessly. This marks the second tunnel on the trace. The first tunnel opened in 2002 and goes under Florida Street in Mandeville.
As far as the S-curve, it will be realigned and slightly shifted east. Motor traffic has already been routed along the new alignment on the slight curve making it safer for motorists.
As of right now, the tunnel and north approach slab is completed and the south approach slab is currently being constructed. New drainage and driveways are being installed for those that have been affected by the realignment.
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